On Monday 29th September, with around 85 people attending, the Datacom Industry Association (DIA) held its first major gathering in Munich, hosted at the Technische Universität München (TUM), convening top researchers, industry leaders, and policy influencers from across Europe under the theme “Addressing Grand Challenges Through Communication Systems.”
The one-day event marked a milestone for the newly formed association, showcasing the pivotal role of communication technologies in tackling complex societal issues. The room was packed, and so was the agenda with thought-provoking presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative working group sessions aimed at catalysing dialogue and coordinated action within the European data communication ecosystem.
Key Highlights from the Day
George Polyzos (ExcID), Chair of the DIA, opened the event with a welcome address that framed the mission of the association, which is to create a cohesive European community that harnesses communication systems to meet today’s and tomorrow’s societal challenges.
Moderated by Lorenzo Benedetti (EuroTube), the morning sessions delved into the technological backbone of this mission:
Roberto Scopigno (CNR-ISTI) shared insights on the intersection of AI and networking, outlining research innovations and their impact on intelligent infrastructure. Francisco Hortigüela Martos (AMETIC) addressed the pressing needs in healthcare and accessibility, emphasising the growing demand for digital solutions that are inclusive and resilient.
Transport Transformation and Cybersecurity
A joint session spotlighted the digitalisation of Europe’s railways, featured:
Pierre Tane (UIC) on the digital transformation of railway operations and Omar Benjumea (Cylus) on cybersecurity imperatives in transport systems.
Beyond Earth: Satellite and Non-Terrestrial Networks
Tomaso de Cola (DLR) explored the transition from data communication to data infrastructure via SatCom and NTN, highlighting their potential to connect underserved regions and enable critical applications.
DIA in Action: Building a Community
The afternoon pivoted toward community-building and strategic alignment. A lively panel discussion, moderated by Rute Sofia (Fortiss), examined how Europe’s collective efforts can harness communication systems to address cross-border challenges.
George Polyzos returned to formally introducing the DIA’s vision, mission, and structure, inviting stakeholders to engage through membership and participation.
Dirk Trossen (DaPaDOT Tech), DIA Secretary General, introduced the Open Challenge Fund as part of the new DIA Matchmaking initiative, designed to connect challenges with innovators.
Working Groups: Sector-Specific Action Plans
Three dedicated Working Groups shared updates and opportunities:
- Systems and Enabling Technologies WG, with insights from Luigi Iannone (Huawei), Charalampos Rotsos (Lancaster University), and Jens Finkhäuser (Interpeer).
- Railway WG, featuring voices from EuroTube (Lorenzo Benedetti), Essex University (Martin Reed), Daniele Bozzolo, and Deutsche Bahn’s Thomas Bayrhof, who discussed the real-world challenges of digital transformation in national railways.
- Aerospace WG, led by Paulo Mendes (Airbus), outlined how aviation can benefit from advanced datacom solutions, complemented by Andreas Iselt (Rivada Space Networks) on insights deploying “outernets”.
A concluding panel on DIA activities, moderated by Dirk Trossen, engaged participants in a discussion about the association’s roadmap. Panelists, including Xiao Ran (Huawei), Damien Saucez (INRIA), and Hongbiao Dong (Leicester University), shared strategies to ensure the DIA remains a dynamic, impact-driven body.
A Unified European Voice in Datacom
The event concluded with closing remarks by George Polyzos, summarising the day’s insights and emphasising the importance of collaboration, innovation, and action. As a platform for continuous exchange, the DIA promises to be a central player in Europe’s digital transformation journey.
To learn more about the DIA or become a member, visit de membership page here.
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